Gujarat Police Aspirants File High Court Petitions Over Height Measurement Discrepancies
In a surprising turn of events, aspirations to serve in the khaki uniform have been thwarted by a tape measure in Gujarat. Several candidates for police jobs have moved the high court after being declared ineligible due to failing to meet the mandatory height requirement of 165 centimeters (approximately 5.4 feet) in the latest recruitment drive. This comes despite reports that they had previously cleared the same benchmark in earlier assessments.
Confusion and Discrepancies in Physical Efficiency Tests
Confusion arose during the physical efficiency test phase of the recruitment process. Candidates who had been measured at or above the 165cm threshold during a recruitment drive in 2024 were unexpectedly found ineligible this time. Authorities recently stated that these aspirants now fall short of the required height record, leading to widespread concern and legal action.
Among the petitioners are Tushar Bhaliya and Govind Sindhav from Gandhinagar, Pappu Parmar from Banaskantha, and Mukesh Chauhan from Ahmedabad. All had reapplied for various police posts and were previously cleared based on their height measurements. However, in this latest round, they received the short end of the stick, prompting them to seek judicial intervention.
High Court's Intervention and Orders
As petitions accumulated before the high court, Justice Nirzar Mehta implemented a filter to ensure the seriousness of the claims. Each petitioner has been directed to deposit Rs 10,000 with the court registry, which will be refundable if their claim is proven correct. To resolve the ongoing debate over inches versus centimeters, the court has ordered a fresh measurement to be conducted under strict medical supervision.
Candidates must appear on February 19 at the GMERS civil hospital in Sola, carrying proof of their deposit. The concerned hospital authorities have been instructed to arrange and facilitate the measurement process, with transparency being a non-negotiable aspect. The bench emphasized that "the entire exercise be videographed and a report be produced before this court on the returnable date" of February 23.
Implications and Next Steps
This case highlights potential inconsistencies in the recruitment procedures for police forces in Gujarat, raising questions about the accuracy and reliability of physical measurements. The high court's decision to order a supervised re-measurement aims to ensure fairness and accountability in the process. Aspirants and authorities alike await the outcome, which could set a precedent for similar disputes in future recruitment drives.
The legal battle underscores the importance of standardized and transparent evaluation methods in government job selections, particularly for roles with strict physical criteria. As the February 19 date approaches, all eyes are on the GMERS civil hospital to see if justice will be served for these hopeful candidates.
